Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Honors bestowed at Valentino showcase event

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000 | 9:01 a.m.

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at elizabethfoyt@ prodigy.net

Selected over other American cities for an extraordinary design and trade show, Las Vegas and the Venetian hosted the Italian Trade Commission and Regional Italian Government of Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy.

A two-day showcase of the sunny region's fine wines and cheeses, the conference also presented culinary delights including the famed prosciutto and displays of the elegant furniture manufactured in this costal region. Traveling with the winemakers, designers, food distributors and government officials were Italian Chamber of Commerce personnel, who easily networked with Kara Kelley, chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, who graciously presented the keys to our city.

Valentino at the Venetian was the gathering point for numerous seminars, select tastings and most accommodating hosts of the concluding gala dinner. Superbly prepared by Executive Chef Luciano Pellegrini and Executive Pastry Chef Gianluca Fusto, this exquisite meal featured recipes from leading restaurants brought from the Friuli-Venezia Guilia region. The centerpoint of the event and most dramatic in presentation, the evening's induction ceremonies for new members of the Order of the Dukedom of Friulian Wines, were conducted by a quartet of nobles in richly tapestried Ducal robes.

Drinking from a silver chalice as the honored title of duchess was bestowed was the Sun's own Muriel Stevens, noted food expert, critic and columnist. The title of duke was awarded to Rino Armeni, executive marketing director for Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada; and Mario Maccioni of Le Cirque, Osteria del Circo at Bellagio. Elevated from duke to count of this esteemed order was Piero Selvaggio, restaurateur of Valentino in Santa Monica and Piero Selvaggio Valentino at the Venetian.

The private dinner and ceremony with its dazzling menu and wines was complimented by the sale of rare vintages contributed by Sotheby's with representative Rick Wolf serving as auctioneer. Proceeds from both the wines and trade show were contributed in their entirety to the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

Among the Las Vegas residents in attendance were Paul Carelli, honorary consul to Italy since 1977, with Gail Anderson representing Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt; Giovanni Parente, Lou Silvestri with his son Rob; Kathleen Douglass, Paolo Tosolini, Trish Williamson with John Bastian; Kara Kelley, Larry Spitler and Rino Armeni with his wife Marie-Claire, and their daughters Laura and Paola.

Officers welcomed

The Clark County Bar Association welcomed the year 2000 new admitees with a festive cocktail reception at the Aladdin. Officers welcoming Nevada's new crop of attorneys included CCBA President Dara Goldsmith, with board members Constance Akridge and Judge Nancy Saitta. Nevada Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin, who presided over the swearing-in ceremonies, was seen with fellow guests Alan Perlmutter, Sunny Kwon, Felicia Galatia, Wayne and Mary Blevins, Marie Ellerton and Henderson City Attorney Shauna Hughes.

Others at the legal reception included Bruce Gale, Shannon Darnell, Patty Blake, Carey Reno, Patrick Flanagan, Ben Ross, Eric Mann and new admittees Scott Olifant and Liane Perlmutter.

In a related development, the Clark County Law Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the CCBA, has unveiled a new leadership-giving effort, the Gavel Society. Intended to represent the best of Southern Nevada's philanthropic community, the society will provide outreach services through programs and services. The Clark County Law Foundation boasts a membership of 2000 and has a mission to fund programs, including Trial By Peers, scholarships for deserving students at the William Boyd School of Law and other service projects.

25-Year Club

With the generous sponsorship of Wells Fargo, the UNLV Alumni Association honored UNLV faculty and professional staff employees with 25 years of dedicated service at their fourth annual UNLV 25-Year Club Luncheon. Guests dined on a tasty meal of London broil with mushroom sauce and white chocolate torte with raspberries, then listened with enjoyment to the roasted comments and words of praise for the academic achievements of new members of the club by their fellow club members and colleagues.

Following brief introductory remarks by Dr. John Gallagher and Dr. Ray Alden, new members inducted were Dr. Sue Fawn Chung, associate professor of history; Dr. Joseph (Andy) Fry, professor/chairman of the history department; Dr. Richard Harp, professor of English; Dr. Carrol Steedman, director of credit programs and associate director of the summer term for the College of Extended Education; Dr. Kevin Crehan, associate professor of educational psychology; and Dr. Lynn Osborne, assistant professor of sociology.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees were Dr. John Swetnam, Dr. Thomas Wright, Dr. John Unrue, Alden and Dr. Paul Aizley. Reference was made to Professor Satish Bhatnagar who first suggested this honor and the creation of the 25-Year Club to then-Provost Dr. Douglas Ferraro, and worked with the UNLV Alumni Association to establish it in October 1997.

Attending guests included Randy Campanale, senior vice president for Wells Fargo, and fellow banking executives Trish McArthur, Lisa Grimaud, Derek Jones, Olga Berhney and Jill Fournier. Present as well was Stuart Mann, dean of the Hotel College, joined by Chad Reed, Dr. Carol Harter and past honorees Ken Hanlon, Douglas Peterson and Robert Burgan. Distinguished guests at the luncheon were Regent Tom Kilpatrick with Alumni Board President Kevin Page and Vice President Jim Kirkwood, as well as Dr. Robert Smith, former UNLV dean of Sciences, now provost at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

New dimension

Now in its second season, it is abundantly evident the Las Vegas Philharmonic has added a new dimension to our community's cultural life. Its recent "Poetry and Fire of Richard Wagner Concert," sponsored by Mikimoto, was conducted by Harold Leighton Weller and included soprano artist Margaret Jane Wray. Prior to the program at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall, Dr. Richard McGee, associate conductor and education coordinator, spoke informally about Wagner's life and influence.

Gathering for the evening of music were Bernice Fischer, Lee McMahon and husband Jack Blankenberg, Horace McGee, Thom and Mari Landers, Ken Fong with Julia Sohn, Bill Marion and Rita and Warren Isom. Others seen in the appreciative audience were Sally Wathen, Andrea Thomas with Joel Kazar, Dr. Sundar Raj, Mariam and Rokh Afshai, Lia Roberts, Patrick and Diane Clary, Lee Zaichick, Susan Russell and Marge and Len Robinson.

Next for the Las Vegas Philharmonic is its Yuletide Celebration on Dec. 16 and 17, also at Ham Hall.